Bears hire Martz as new OC

The Chicago Bears hired Mike Martz as their offensive coordinator on Monday, the team confirmed.

Martz interviewed with the Bears on Friday then traveled to Nashville, Tenn., to speak with Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. Martz, working for the NFL Network, had criticized Cutler's comportment after the quarterback threw four interceptions in a season-opening loss at Green Bay.

The hiring ends a prolonged search that included an interview with Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers. The Bears also were interested in former Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates, who worked with Cutler in Denver, but Bates went to the Seattle Seahawks with Pete Carroll after serving a season on USC's staff.

The Bears also interviewed the Cincinnati Bengals' Ken Zampese and the San Diego Chargers' Rob Chudzinski.

Martz is a former St. Louis Rams head coach and offensive coordinator. The Rams won a Super Bowl with Martz as the offensive coordinator and lost a Super Bowl when he became head coach.

Martz hired Lovie Smith as the Rams defensive coordinator.

"Even though I've never worked with Mike Martz, I'm in favor of the Bears hiring anybody that can get us back on the right track, and hopefully back to a Super Bowl," Bears tight end Desmond Clark said. "Mike Martz has a great track record, and I'm excited to see how this offense could grow in 2010."